LÄPPLE Group Prepares for Further Growth

Heilbronn, 12. June 2017 – Following a series of successful fiscal years, the LÄPPLE Group expects continued growth in the years to come. LÄPPLE was able to conclude its FY 2016 with a total revenue of EUR 439 million and there-by exceeded its forecasts. Higher sales in the previous year were due to ex-traordinary effects from project launches. The series business accounted for growth last year as well.

Particularly LÄPPLE’s press part business at the Heilbronn and Teublitz loca-tions - the automotive business - continued its excellent developments from the past years. Drivers for a further positive development will be the transfer press that is, in the meantime, being used in serial production, and other investments in body shell capacities covering approximately 5,000m² at the Heilbronn site. The extremely strong current market environment has resulted in the securing of the largest individual order with a German premium car maker in LÄPPLE AUTOMOTIVE’s history.

FIBRO, a producer of standard parts and rotary tables with a tradition of high sales and results, has contributed considerably to the positive FY 2016 and has again proven its strength in innovations. The Stifterverband awarded FIBRO with the Innovative through Research seal for its research activities. For its de-velopment of a standard part employing a new type of material, FIBRO also received the EuroBLECH Award. In 2017, its focus is on the development of an Industry 4.0 solution for rotary tables, including a concept for predictive mainte-nance. Through smart data analysis, the company provides the basis for further product enhancements and future process optimizations.

The overarching plus for plant manufacturer FIBRO LÄPPLE TECHNOLOGY (FLT) was its extremely beneficial international business where it was able to win several large-volume contracts in the important US and Chinese markets. In 2017 as well, it plans to expand its international sales activities in order to con-tinue these success stories.

The Group’s fourth business division, LÄPPLE AUS- UND WEITERBILDUNG (LAW), can also look back on a very successful fiscal year. The expansion of its training portfolio came with the winning of six new partner companies and an increase in the number of retrainees and participants in continuous training programs. The refugee training program that has started successfully is also to be continued in 2017.

“Our predecessors have provided a solid and financially sound basis for the LÄPPLE Group. Furthermore, they have made important investments which are the foundations for our future growth,” summarizes Klemens Schmiederer, Chairman of the Board of the LÄPPLE AG, looking back at FY 2016. “With a view on FY 2017, we managed a good start and we are confident that we will reach our targets. During the next years, the LÄPPLE Group will benefit even more from the larger number of models, especially in the premium car sector.” In November 2016, LÄPPLE had announced changes in the executive man-agement. In the beginning of 2017, Klemens Schmiederer (57) succeeded Dr. Peter Spahn (60) as Chairman of the Board. Stephan Itter (50) replaced Siegbert Hummel (53) as Chief Financial Officer.